Such data is also available on public sites such as Amplicate.com, which pulls in relevant Facebook and Twitter messages and also allows users to post their thoughts on the site directly. It assigns comments for a given topic into either a "love" or "hate" category, then scores the overall result. There's also an "action" feature that allows users to "start a movement, engage similar minded people and make a change."

While most of Amplicate's topics concern matters such as consumer products, celebrities and airlines, since its launch late last year it has also developed a robust set of software-related data, including on vendors themselves.

The number-one on Amplicate Friday may not come as much of a surprise: It was Apple, with 66 percent positive ratings out of roughly 282,000.

"Every product is so perfect," one recent comment states.

Microsoft topped the "hate" list, with 68 percent negative marks out of about 40,000. Many gripes centered on alleged software bugs and performance problems, but one claim even ventured into conspiracy-theory territory: "Microsoft deliberately slows down Windows XP laptops."